Water Resistance in Phones with IP67 or IP68 Has Limitations
Manufacturers often highlight that their phones are water resistant by obtaining certifications like IP67 or IP68. This can lead to thinking that the device can handle rain, splashes, or a brief drop into a pool without issues. However, this protection is neither total nor permanent. The tests to achieve these ratings are conducted under very controlled laboratory conditions, which differ greatly from real-world daily use. 📱💧
The Manufacturer's Warranty Excludes Liquid Damage
Although marketing presents this feature as a key value, it is crucial to read the fine print. Almost no manufacturer includes coverage for damage caused by water or other liquids in their warranty. This is because the IP certification evaluates the device in an ideal state, freshly manufactured, using fresh and still water. In practice, the phone may face chlorinated pool water, sea salt, soap, or movement, factors that can overcome the barrier of the internal rubber seals.
Factors that Reduce Real Protection:- Exposing the phone to liquids with chemicals like chlorine, salt, or detergents.
- Subjecting the device to pressure from movement, such as swimming or diving with it.
- Sudden temperature changes that affect the sealing materials.
Trusting that a phone will survive prolonged immersion is a risk, as the certification is not an absolute guarantee of waterproofing in any scenario.
Protection Wears Out with Daily Use
The internal seals that protect the electronic components are not permanent. They deteriorate naturally over time, exposure to ambient heat, and, critically, from impacts or drops the phone suffers. An apparently minor impact can compromise the integrity of these joints without the user noticing, causing the device to lose its ability to effectively repel water.
How Usage Affects Water Resistance:- Normal wear over time degrades the sealing materials.
- Drops or impacts, even if they don't damage the screen, can break the internal seals.
- Constant exposure to heat (leaving it in the sun, for example) accelerates deterioration.
Practical Advice for Users
Therefore, although advertising shows suggestive images of people using the phone in aquatic environments, the most sensible recommendation is to treat any device as if it did not have this protection. Avoiding deliberately wetting it remains the best policy to prevent disappointments and costly repairs that, almost certainly, the manufacturer's warranty will not cover. 🚫💦